Chicago, Illinois – Unseasonably warm, dry, and windy conditions will create an elevated fire danger across northern Illinois and northwest Indiana on Sunday, prompting safety warnings from the National Weather Service. The combination of gusty south-southwesterly winds, low humidity, and parched fields could quickly turn even a small spark into a spreading brush fire.
According to the National Weather Service office in Chicago/Romeoville, outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and residents are urged to follow local burn bans. Winds are expected to gust between 25 and 35 mph at times, with the lowest humidity values dropping into the 20% range during the afternoon.
Communities from Rockford and DeKalb to Joliet, Kankakee, and Valparaiso are under the advisory, with farmers and drivers urged to stay alert. Dust from harvest operations could cause brief visibility drops along rural roads, especially near open fields. Motorists should slow down if they encounter blowing dust or smoke.
Officials recommend avoiding open flames, properly disposing of cigarettes, and ensuring equipment is free from debris that could spark. The elevated fire risk is expected to subside by Monday as winds ease and humidity levels rebound.
